Community Alliances

FirstWorks embraces partnership as a means to carry out
significant cultural work and foster participation by new audiences

We have built relationships with over 90 arts and non-arts partners

“Widening the Circle was an exciting collaboration that brought a rich series of master classes, lecture/demonstrations, performances, and seminars to Rhode Island. FirstWorks was critical in building bridges between the University and the greater community and provided the resources to present the Mark Morris Dance Group in concert, a highlight and crucial component of the collaboration.”
— Julie A. Strandberg, artistic director, American Dance Legacy Initiative,
co-director, Artists & Scientists as Partners

• In 2008-9, our six-month Season of the Silk Road in premiered a new work by Yo-Yo Ma’s ensemble;

• Providence Singers worked with significant national artists through FirstWorks projects with Kronos Quartet, Nico Muhly, and Sweet Honey In The Rock®

• Rhode Island Philharmonic took their music out of the concert hall during the 2012 FirstWorks Festival On the Plaza

• Local artists report lasting benefits from their FirstWorks collaborations: Lostwax Multimedia Dance company’s FirstWorks premiere helped to launch the group’s national tour, including a February appearance at the Ringling Museum in Florida

• In 2013, our three-year commission project with Community MusicWorks (CMW) culminated in a world-premiere performance with the internationally renowned Kronos Quartet

• Proving that Providence is fertile ground for innovation, FirstWorks co-commissioned “Fugitive Time”, a new work by performance artist and filmmaker Janie Geiser, with the Museum of Modern Art, Santa Barbara